While fall is considered the best shopping season overall, knowing when to buy specific items like clothes, shoes, and handbags can help you get the most value for your money. Different types of apparel and accessories tend to go on sale at various times throughout the year, and each season presents unique opportunities to grab the best deals. Let’s break down the best season to buy clothes, shoes, and handbags, so you can make the most informed decisions.
Best Season to Buy Clothes, Shoes, and Handbags in 2025
1. Clothes
Clothing is a year-round purchase, but the best time to buy varies based on the type of apparel you’re looking for and the season you’re in. Here’s a deeper dive into when to buy various types of clothing:
Fall: Fall is one of the best times to buy transitional and cold-weather clothing, like coats, sweaters, cardigans, and boots. Retailers often introduce their new fall collections, filled with cozy, layered items. While these collections are fresh, they may not always offer deep discounts at the start of the season. However, toward the end of October and into November, you’ll start to see mid-season sales that can offer substantial savings, especially on essentials like knitwear, denim, and jackets.
- Why fall is key for coats and outerwear: Fall is when stores stock their largest variety of outerwear, from trench coats to puffer jackets. You’ll find the most options in terms of styles, sizes, and colors during this season. By shopping early in fall, you can ensure you have the perfect coat before winter arrives, but by waiting until mid-fall sales, you might get a great deal.
- Layering pieces: Layering is a hallmark of fall fashion, and items like vests, light jackets, and cardigans sell quickly in early fall. These versatile pieces can carry you into winter, offering warmth and style.
Winter: Surprisingly, winter is one of the best times to buy clothing for both cold and warm seasons. As the holiday shopping season peaks in December, many stores offer discounts to draw in last-minute shoppers. But the real savings come after the holidays. Post-Christmas and New Year’s sales are known for clearing out winter merchandise, allowing you to snag deep discounts on cold-weather gear, such as coats, sweaters, and boots. By January, you’ll see markdowns of 30%-70% on winter apparel as stores prepare to make room for spring collections.
- Post-holiday sales: Look for clearance on winter clothing, especially outerwear, thermal layers, and heavier fabrics like wool and cashmere. These pieces are often discounted heavily right after Christmas and into January.
- Pre-spring clearances: By February, retailers begin introducing early spring collections, which means even more discounts on remaining winter stock. If you can hold off and don’t mind buying winter clothes toward the end of the season, you’ll get some of the best deals of the year.
Spring: Spring is all about lighter layers and fresh trends. As stores transition from heavy winter coats and boots to breezy dresses and sandals, shoppers can take advantage of new arrivals, often mixed with leftover winter items on sale. This season is ideal for shopping for transitional pieces like raincoats, denim jackets, and lightweight sweaters. Spring fashion is known for bright colors and prints, so if you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe after the dullness of winter, now’s the time to invest in spring essentials.
- Rain gear and lighter outerwear: Spring is the best time to buy raincoats, light jackets, and trench coats. Retailers roll out waterproof and windproof options that are perfect for unpredictable spring weather.
- Special events: Many stores run promotions during key spring holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day. These are excellent opportunities to save on new arrivals, whether you’re buying casual clothes or more formal attire.
Summer: Summer clothing typically hits stores in early May, with lightweight dresses, swimsuits, shorts, and sandals dominating the shelves. While it’s tempting to buy as soon as these items arrive, waiting until mid-to-late summer is where the real savings come in. By July and August, stores are already gearing up for fall, leading to significant markdowns on summer apparel.
- Swimsuits and summer dresses: July and August are the best times to score great deals on summer clothes, often at clearance prices. While the season may be winding down, you can buy for next year or enjoy your late-summer vacation with brand-new pieces at a fraction of the price.
- Off-season stocking: Late summer is also a great time to purchase transitional pieces like lightweight sweaters, as retailers start their end-of-summer clearance sales.
2. Shoes
Like clothing, shoes follow a seasonal trend, and buying at the right time can help you save a lot while still stepping out in style. Here’s the best time to buy shoes for different occasions and seasons:
Fall: Fall is the top season to buy boots and closed-toe shoes. This is when stores are stocked with a wide range of footwear options, from ankle boots to knee-high leather boots, making it the ideal time to invest in quality pairs that will last through the colder months. You’ll also find new collections of sneakers and loafers that transition well from warmer weather to the chillier fall days.
- Boots galore: Whether you’re looking for practical winter boots, fashion-forward ankle boots, or cozy shearling-lined options, fall is when you’ll find the most variety. Shopping early ensures you can grab your size and preferred style before the most popular options sell out.
- Back-to-school sales: Even if you’re not a student, back-to-school shopping in late August and early September offers fantastic shoe deals. Retailers often offer promotions on sneakers, flats, and casual shoes, catering to both students and everyday consumers.
Winter: Winter sales, especially during the post-Christmas period, are an excellent opportunity to snag discounts on fall and winter shoes. Retailers often aim to clear out stock to make way for spring collections, so you can find winter boots, dress shoes, and athletic footwear at reduced prices in late December and early January. This period also coincides with End-of-Year Sales, where many brands and stores offer site-wide and in-store discounts as a final push for holiday sales. These sales provide an excellent chance to revamp your shoe collection with high-quality items at a fraction of the cost.
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals: Winter holiday shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and End-of-Year Sales are prime times to score incredible deals on shoes across all categories. From trendy sneakers to formal footwear, retailers roll out attractive discounts on popular styles. If you’ve been eyeing a particular pair all year, these end-of-season sales are the perfect opportunity to snag them at a steal. Some stores even extend their discounts through the New Year, ensuring you don’t miss out on your favorite styles.
Spring: As temperatures rise, stores begin to focus on sandals, espadrilles, and other warm-weather footwear. If you’re in the market for sandals or open-toed shoes, this is when you’ll see the newest collections. However, you may want to wait until later in spring, especially around Memorial Day, to get the best discounts.
- Transitional footwear: Spring is the season for shoes like loafers, ballet flats, and lightweight sneakers. These styles work well as you move from cold winter to mild spring weather, making them versatile investments.
- Memorial Day sales: Many retailers kick off their summer sales season with big discounts during Memorial Day, making it a great time to shop for sandals and other warm-weather footwear.
Summer: The peak of summer might not seem like a discount season, but by July and August, you’ll start seeing clearance sales on sandals, espadrilles, and summer sneakers. This is the perfect time to grab high-quality, comfortable sandals for a vacation or casual shoes that can still be worn as the season winds down.
- Sneaker releases: Summer is also when athletic brands often launch new sneaker collections, especially for runners. If you’re looking to invest in high-performance athletic shoes, keeping an eye on summer releases can ensure you get the latest tech and designs.
3. Handbags
Handbags are an investment, and the right one can elevate your wardrobe for years to come. Knowing when to buy can save you a lot of money while still ensuring you get a bag that fits your style and needs.
Fall and winter: Fall and winter are traditionally the seasons for structured, leather handbags in darker, richer tones. This is when designer brands and retailers release their newest collections, so if you’re looking for the latest trends, fall is your season. However, it’s also important to note that sales don’t typically start right away, so you might want to wait for mid-season discounts in late October and November.
- Luxury handbags: If you’re shopping for a luxury designer handbag, fall is also when new season styles are released, but you can find great discounts on last season’s designs. Many designer outlets and luxury department stores start marking down older stock in October and November.
- Black Friday and holiday sales: Fall culminates in major sale events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which often include discounts on high-end and mid-range handbags. These events are great for scoring a designer or brand-name bag at a lower price before the holiday rush.
Spring and summer: During these seasons, you’ll find lighter, more casual bags—think canvas totes, crossbody bags, and backpacks. Spring is the time to invest in a versatile handbag that’s perfect for daily use and summer adventures.
- End-of-season handbag sales: Both spring and summer have key moments for handbag sales. Memorial Day (in May) and Labor Day (in September) are great times to buy, with many retailers offering sales that include handbags. You’ll find big discounts on summer totes and beach-ready bags as the season winds down.
- Summer clearance: If you’re eyeing a handbag for travel or warm-weather activities, waiting until July or August for summer clearance sales can help you score the best deal on lighter, more casual handbags.
What to Expect from these Shopping Season these 2025?
The shopping trends in 2025 are shaping up to cater to savvy consumers seeking quality and style without breaking the bank. Throughout the year, each seasonal sale will spotlight unique opportunities to invest in fashionable clothes, shoes, and handbags at reduced prices. Expect Winter Clearance Sales to focus on high-end winterwear, including cashmere sweaters, leather boots, and structured handbags, with discounts ranging from 30% to 70%. Retailers will also prioritize offloading last season’s collections, offering unbeatable deals on timeless classics.
During Spring Sales, you’ll find lightweight fabrics, pastel hues, and versatile spring shoes like sneakers and ballet flats taking center stage. This season is also a hotspot for crossbody bags and totes, perfect for the on-the-go lifestyle that spring and summer often bring. Many brands will experiment with early drops of summer collections, offering introductory discounts that savvy shoppers can take advantage of. Memorial Day weekend will be especially strong for casual wear, outdoor-friendly shoes, and functional handbags, with deep discounts as brands gear up for mid-year.
As the year winds down, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and End-of-Year Sales will be the ultimate opportunities to stock up on statement pieces. Expect extravagant markdowns on luxury handbags, limited-edition shoe collections, and festive attire. These sales will also offer versatility with discounts on practical staples like workwear, sneakers, and durable totes, alongside indulgent designer finds. The year 2025 will provide plenty of chances to shop strategically, blending timeless fashion with trendy updates for a wardrobe that’s both stylish and budget-friendly.
